Two die in attack on poll convoy
Sakina Yatoo, who is also a candidate in elections that begin today was travelling with dozens of soldiers and paramilitary forces near her constituency of Damhal-Hanjipora when the attack came. A remote-controlled bomb exploded under one of the escort vehicles and an unknown number of guerrillas opened fire, said T Acharya, a spokesman for the paramilitary Border Security Force.
Yatoo, a member of the ruling National Conference party, was not injured. Elections in her constituency will be held on October 1. The crucial state elections are spread out across four dates September 16 and 24, October 1 and 8. The militants, fighting for Kashmir's independence from India or its merger with Pakistan since 1989, have demanded a boycott of the elections in India's only Muslim majority state. They have killed nearly 100 political activists this year, including a government minister last week.
